Career Planning & Personal Development

Why career planning? Where do I begin? What resources do I

need to mobilise? What does personal

development involve? Where can I get help?

Theoretical Concepts

Career – a course of progress through life Vocation – a pattern of work-related

experiences spanning one’s life Profession – a paid-up job, especially one

that involves training and formal qualification Occupation – a way of spending time And then there is the so-called odd job

Personality

What it has got to do with careers and the world of work

?Empirical research has it that some personalities are more suited for some occupations than others.

Finding out about your Personality

Just as different types of animals have different behaviour patterns and like different food, people are also different – they are good at different kinds of jobs. These differences are as a result of differences in personality.

Can we the match our personalities with the characteristics well known insects and birds?

The Ant (Intuthwane)

Ants are incredible creatures. They live in large colonies and work extremely hard for the common good. They can carry items 10 times their weight, and are able to build huge structures.

Bee (Inyosi)

Bees work hard to gather pollen to make honey and they care for their queen and babies.

Bees are practical, they like to approach a task in a step by step way.

Eagle (Ukhozi)

Eagles perch in high trees and can see far into the distance. They plan effectively. They are quick to swoop down on their prey.

Honey guide (Inhlava)

Honey guides are different from other creatures – they communicate with people and animals, leading them to the bee’s nest so they can get honey. They make sure that the route to be followed is safe.

Career planning at a glance

Self-analysis and Environmental scanning

PlanningFormulate a visionFormulate a missionDevelop set of values

Organising•Develop occupationalstrategy•Break it intomeasurable goals•Mobilise neededresources

Execution•Put strategy intoplace•Choose profession•Acquire skills & competencies

ControlEvaluate resultsagainst plans

Ongoing occupational assessment for possible career change

Planning for maximum impact

1. Formulating a vision – the destination Seeing and establishing the future from the

present Dreaming with your conscious mind

2. Formulating a mission – the journey Set on a journey Live the dream

3. Establish career values They are a mirror through which you reflect

as you set sail

Personal career Aspirations

Vision – I aspire to be a highly skilled and competent professional in the Financial Services Industry

Mission – to be one of the most diligent and competent employees on which an employer can depend.

Values personal mastery Honest and Integrity Trust Justice

Way to the top

CIS 2007

Bcom Financial Man 2010

B Com Honours

Financial Management

MBA

?

2012

2015

?

}

In between

•It is my sincere hope and prayer that somewhere along the line I will still have a chance to take a Sabbatical to go and teach English in South Korea for a year, two, or even three

Self-knowledge

What motivates/inspires you to excel? What are your strengths and abilities? What are your weaknesses and fears? Your likes and dislikes Your goals and objectives Your personal interests Past accomplishments

SWOT AnalysisStrengthsGood intellectual capabilityPerseveranceVersatilityDexterity

WeaknessesLack of support and proper guidanceFear of failureLack of commitment

OpportunitiesInstitutional supportGraduate trainee programmesInternship programmes

ThreatsSaturated job marketHigh standards of entry requirementsTransfer or lay-off

Environmental Analysis

Political factors Stability and outlook

Economic factors Cycle and outlook Labour market dynamics

Social factors Population growth and size Beliefs and lifestyles

Technological factor Rate of technological change Access to technological resources

Industry Analysis

How big and mature is the industry? Is the industry labour or capital intensive? Potential for industry growth Legislative and regulatory framework What are the typical working conditions? How high/low are entry requirements?

Work Environment Analysis

Typical tasks to be performed Training requirements Remuneration and fringe benefits What security does the job offer Social relations Stress levels

Choice of Occupation

1. Commerce & Business Operations Admin & governance Strategic management

2. Humanities and social sciences

3. Health and Medicine

4. Entrepreneur Planning and organising Budgeting and control

Course of study and subject mix

Course of study Business Technical Environmental sciences etc

Choice of subjects and subject mix Institution to study through Full-time, part-time or distance learning? Financial arrangements

How are your going to finance your studies?

One other thing!

Family expectations Your partner’s career aspirations Emotional needs of the family Financial and other physical needs Spiritual needs of the family Level of development of the family

Finally, Looking for the Dream Job

What’s out there for me?Companies to targetIndustries to considerJobs and positions

Action Plan

Focusing

Exploration

Self-AnalysisWho am I? Interests, skills, values, likes etc

NetworkingResearch potentialemployers

Resumes&

Interviews

In conclusion….

Are we now better positioned to set sail on the stormy weathers of the world of work

?

Reflections from sister White

Set a high standard Many become inefficient by evading responsibilities for

fear of failure. Thus they fail to gain an education which results from experience, that which can not be gained through reading and study. Man can shape circumstances, but circumstances should not be allowed to shape man. Man of power are those who have been opposed, baffled, and thwarted. By calling their energies into action, the obstacles they meet prove to them to be positive blessings. They gain self reliance. Conflict and perplexity call for the trust in God and for that firmness which develops the power.—”Ministry of Healing,” pp 498-500

Further reflections: E White

Making the most of life While a good education is of great benefit if combined

with consecration in its possessor, still those who do not have the privilege of gaining high literary attainments need not think that they can not advance in intellectual and spiritual life. If they will seek to gather something to their store everyday, and will overcome all perverseness of temper through the studious cultivation of Christlike traits of character, God will open channels of wisdom to them, and it may be said of them as it was said of old concerning Hebrew children, God gave them wisdom and understanding.—”Fundamentals of Christian Education,” pp 192, 193.

In closing….

May God bless us all and always keep us in his mighty hand as we seek to glorify him in what ever we do.

We need to enjoy the days of our youth and channel our energies appropriately. God will always help us.

Closing Prayer!